The ICEX report 2024 about the Spanish agritech ecosystem indicated a need for more connected and responsive organizations that systematically provide information on new technologies, new trends and market opportunities. Both the Netherlands and Spain are strong players in the areas of agriculture, technology and research and could benefit from each other. Two paths to achieve more connection would be through sharing and co-creating knowledge across individuals, organizations and industries and bilateral collaboration between Spanish and Dutch stakeholders that will be explained in more detail below.
Beeld: © KMZero
Dutch Think Tank members Marjolein Brasz, CEO Foodvalley and Machiel Kommers, Counsellor for Agricultura, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (source: KMZero)
Path 1: Sharing and co-creating knowlegde:
The first path to transform the food system would be to work together on knowledge exchange. Dutch and Spanish experts from the agritech ecosystems can share their innovative knowledge regarding the key areas of agriculture (farmers), technology (businesses) and research (universities/research institutes). This can be done by connecting their existing networks and local communities that focus on relevant and urgent challenges within the food transition. Two ways to share knowledge from both counties’ ecosystems can be done through webinars and think tank events.
Webinars
Two webinars, organized by the Agricultural team of the Embassy in Madrid in the beginning of this year, offered the opportunity to share knowledge on sustainable agriculture and the impact of climate change and water governance. The first webinar was about agriculture and the impact on climate change. The more than 100 online participants, with a broad profile, represented all integrated key players related to the sustainable food system and the aimed focus group (primary sector). The initiative was very much appreciated as a start to broaden the network and to create and a community/ecosystem on sustainable agricultural practices.
The second webinar was about Integrated Water Management. The results of this second webinar were very successful as well with also almost 100 participants.
Think tank event
Besides webinars, knowledge can be shared through the format of a think tank event. A think tank event can bring together food system changemakers to discuss what the future of our food system should be like and which recommendations they suggest for a stronger foodtech ecosystem.
An example of such a think tank event was the one organized by the KM Zero Food Innovation Hub on April 7th, 2025, in Madrid. During this event 150 CEOs, investors, scientists, government and industry experts from all over the world came together in Madrid to tackle the sector’s biggest challenges and develop innovative solutions for a more sustainable, healthy, and efficient future. Several working sessions took place at the same time on relevant topics such as: Open innovation, Water management, Decarbonization, Advanced nutrition and longevity, Food service, gastronomy and retail, Food safety, AI and market trends, New proteins, Zero waste, Geopolitics and Food Security and the Future of Farming.
During the working session on ‘The Future of Farming’ the Counsellor for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature of the Netherlands Embassy in Spain, Machiel Kommers, explored together with ten other changemakers, what the future holds for farming and how innovation can help build a more resilient, efficient, and regenerative agricultural system. In his contribution he stressed the importance of generational renewal and the need for a narrative that combines visions of technology and ecology.
At the same time, Marjolein Brasz CEO at Foodvalley took part in the working session on ‘Geopolitics and Food Security’. During this session the changemakers explored how geopolitical and environmental challenges are reshaping food security. An important insight for example is the role that sustainability plays to enhance food security.
The recommendations that are brought forward by the changemakers from the Think Tank working sessions are gathered and published in an annual report called ‘Fooduristic’. This report presents the challenges, case studies, recommendations and, above all, the opportunities that the sector must address to ensure a fair and sustainable food future, around the 10 key issues. After this think tank event the participants will stay in contact to continue creating opportunities and collaborations. This brings us to the second path to transform the food system and that is through bilateral collaboration.
Path 2: Bilateral collaboration
A way to foster bilateral collaborations between Spain and the Netherlands on innovations could be through intensifying alliances between universities, agricultural institutions and area specific accelerators.
An exciting example of such alliances is the agreement between the Dutch accelerator StartLife from Wageningen and the Spanish KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub, mentioned earlier. In this signed agreement, in the beginning of 2024, they agreed to share their network of collaborators, teams of experts and market knowledge, with the aim, according to KM ZERO, to generate more opportunities for European foodtech startups, reinforcing both entities as leaders in food innovation on the continent.
The think tank event that KM ZERO organized in April in Madrid is an example of this intensified alliance between Spain and the Netherlands with the presence of Foodvalley and the Netherlands Embassy as a partner.
Sources: ICEX report Spanish Agritech 2024/KMZero